Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Space Sector: Leicester Space Park

01 December 2021 · 1 other contributor · 4,431 words

Opened by Liz Kendall Lab Leicester West

Responding minister: George Freeman

EconomyScience & TechnologyBusiness & Trade

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Liz Kendall raised concerns about space sector: leicester space park in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Liz Kendall highlights the growth potential of the UK's space sector, which will see the global space economy expand from 270 billion to 490 billion by 2030.
  • Kendall calls on the government to support Space Park Leicester in its efforts to develop low-cost satellite manufacturing.
  • The minister commits to the government's goal of making the UK a science superpower, aiming to attract substantial funding for research and development.

Key requests to Government

Kendall asks the Minister to support Space Park Leicester in its future ambitions, particularly regarding low-cost satellite manufacturing. She also requests government backing for developing skills and training that align with the national space strategy, including higher vocational qualifications.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Liz Kendall Lab Leicester West

Liz Kendall is concerned about the potential of space science and technology to create high-skill, high-quality jobs. She mentions that the global space economy will grow from £270 billion to £490 billion by 2030, with the UK's sector currently worth over £16 billion annually and employing more than 45,000 people. Leicester is at the forefront of this sector, home to the University of Leicester which has contributed to international space missions for six decades, leading major discoveries such as the observation of the first ever stellar black hole.

Other contributors (1)
  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    We need to ensure that the space park in Leicester is fully supported by Government funding and initiatives, recognising its potential as a hub for innovation and job creation. Mr Stone congratulated the hon. Member for Leicester West on her speech about the space sector in Leicester. He highlighted the importance of retaining young people in his constituency by promoting local opportunities such as the proposed vertical space take-off site in Sutherland. He praised Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council, and individuals like Mr Roy Kirk and Dorothy Pritchard for their support in advancing this project despite legal challenges. He also extended an invitation to both the Prime Minister and the Minister for a celebratory highland tea if the project proceeds successfully.

Government Response

George Freeman

It is a great pleasure to serve under the chairmanship of Ms Bardell and to support the eloquent advocacy for the Leicester Space Park by the hon. Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall). The Government's mission is to deliver the Prime Minister's vision of the UK as a science superpower, focusing on global leadership in science and innovation. We aim to attract hundreds of billions of pounds over the next 10 or 20 years towards research and development, reaching £22 billion annually. The space sector employs 45,000 people in the UK, with employees contributing more than twice the average productivity. It contributes directly to GDP by £6.5 billion and underpins a further £360 billion in the wider economy. The Government has launched the UK Space Strategy, which integrates defence and civil sectors, establishes a National Space Council led by the Prime Minister, and sets out an ambitious plan for small satellite launches from Europe. We have also allocated grants worth £40 million to support this ambition, with the first launch expected in 2023. The Government recognises the importance of Space Park Leicester as an excellent example of a locally-led regional technology hub that aligns with our sector growth ambitions. The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation highlights the need for inclusive growth, focusing on clusters that will drive economic growth and investment. He encourages the hon. Member for Leicester West to continue advocating for Leicester's cluster and invites her to follow up with him regarding support from Innovate UK and UKRI.

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